AYURVEDIC PHARMACODYNAMICS AND PHARMACOKINETICS IN MODERN PERSPECTIVE: BRIDGING TRADITIONAL WISDOM AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
Introduction: Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine, conceptualizes drug action through frameworks such as Rasa Panchaka, Agni, Srotas, and Dosha-Dhatu-Mala interactions. These concepts correspond to pharmacodynamics (drug effects on the body) and pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). With growing scientific interest in integrative medicine, correlating Ayurvedic pharmacology with modern biomedical principles is crucial for evidence-based validation. Methods: A comprehensive review was undertaken by searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and AYUSH Research Portal using terms like “Ayurveda pharmacodynamics,” “Ayurveda pharmacokinetics,” “Rasa Guna Veerya Vipaka Prabhava,” and “herbal metabolism.” Classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya) were critically examined. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed articles, pharmacological studies, and clinical research published between 2000–2024. Non-peer-reviewed material and anecdotal accounts were excluded. Results: Observations suggest that Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics largely operates through Rasa Panchaka and Dosha modulation, aligning with receptor pharmacology, enzyme modulation, and systemic effects in biomedicine. Ayurvedic pharmacokinetics (Aushadha Sevan Marga, Vipaka, Agni Pariksha) correlates with modern ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) principles. Studies demonstrate how bioenhancers like Piperine improve absorption, validating Ayurvedic claims of synergistic action. Clinical and pharmacological data highlight that Ayurvedic formulations exhibit multi-target, multi-system actions rather than single receptor effects. Discussion: The Ayurvedic perspective offers a holistic understanding of drug action, emphasizing individual variability, synergism, and metabolic transformations. While conceptual correlations with pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics exist, challenges remain in standardization, dose-response quantification, and mechanistic validation. Integrative approaches using omics technologies, systems biology, and clinical pharmacology may bridge these paradigms, contributing to personalized medicine and novel drug discovery.
KEYWORDS: Absorption; Ayurveda; Dosha; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics